Photographer's Note

As a follow up to my last picture, again we can see in the distance the snow covered top of Ben Lomond, the most southerly of those mountains in Scotland over 3,000 feet (914.4 metres) in height which are often referred to as "Munros" after Sir Hugh Munro, 4th Baronet (1856–1919), who produced the first list of such hills, known as "Munro's Tables", in 1891.

This picture was taken from the northern shore of the west end of Loch Ard at the little village of Kinlochard. You can see where I was standing if you click on Map:view. And this was another experiment using my new ND1000 or 10-stop ND filter and, on this occasion, a 15 second exposure.

Hello dear friend
this high tree is fantastic and dominates
the photo its a tree with ahidden mystery
without leaves suitable for a film moview
great sharpness and lightness create
a calm and peaceful atmopshere
I have the feeling that that trees top
will touch the blue sky finally
isnt it?
regards
have a nice evening
Costantino

Hello John,
Thar's a very nice view of Scotland.You have captured all the beauty of the Scotland's lakes.That's really a mervellous place.Your very good crop brings us in the heart of the beautiful nature.
I like the brightness of your picture,and the great sharpness too.
Congratulations.
Patrick

Hello John
I like your picture a lot.I like to see a single tree , which I very often look for when out looking at the countryside.Well composed with the tree breaking the horizon,and to include the snow covered mountain in the background.
Best Wishes
Gladys.

Hello John - To my mind this is a far better shot than your previous upload, which while being technically good with an attractive smoothing of the water, lacked punch. The composition had no real focal point and too big an expanse of water to the right of the fence where nothing was happening.

Here there is structure and dynamism. The tree makes a wonderful subject particularly as it is rooted on the small golden spit of land that contrasts so well with the more subdued palette. The clouds are very attractive scudding across the sky adding the dynamism I spoke of. I note also that the tips of the branches are very slightly blurred, I like that as they concur with the clouds and slight squall on the water... wind!

Hello John,
This is a very appealing view across the lake towards the impressive light blue peak of Ben Lomond. The perfectly placed tree is truly magnificent and I like very much the balance between its dark trunk and the yellow dry grass. It's amazing that this is from a latitude that also goes somewhere through southern Sweden, but the environment looks like it could have been from way up in northern Scandinavia.
Kind regards,
Gert

Hi John, very good photograph of this beautiful and interesting composition with a beautiful background, very well captured in this beautiful and interesting picture, with good sharpness, depth, light and color. Very good and interesting job well done, congratulations my friend. Thanks for sharing this beautiful work.

We had a dear friend who had climbed many of the Munros! He was a very enthusiastic walker!

I like this very much. You are doing some fine photography, experimenting with your new filter. Although I liked your previous shot, I find this one even better, with a stronger composition. The shingle beach makes a nicely textured guide to that single, very strongly positioned tree; it creates a fine balance with the peak, equally well positioned in the b/g.

Hi, Again Ben Lomond and your experimenting with the new toy. Ben Lomond looks so impressive and it is just a hill compared to even our Rysy (2499).
I hope to see (when weather permits) much higher mountains very soon.
Stunning sharpness, we could count these pebbles. I like this composition with this tree so near the water. Marvelous colours, still like in winter.

Hi John
love this! Everything is here and your composition perfectly balanced and inspiring. The slow shutter speed and filter has enhanced the beauty and effect so gloriously. An idyllic scene and exquisite capture, one of your best John. So impressive.

Hello John,
a really well composed shot where you have taken full advantage of the lone tree on the waters edge,it`s a lovely focal point to rest your eyes on.
The movement in the clouds and their shape across the diagonal is a big plus for me and of course the snow capped Ben Lomand is another fine feature.
I`m not too sure of what`s happening in the top RH corner where the sky is a little darker,I wonder if this is the effect of the polarising filter being not quite rightly positioned,could it have turned when you applied the ND filter? Just a thought.
I`m looking forward to the next shot..
Kind regards Les.

Hi John,
Ben Lomand or Mount Fuji? There is something so Japanese about this and I cannot put my finger on what. Perhaps it is Mt Fuji in the distance, of the soft purple colors or perhaps the clouds which look like the brush strokes of a very talented artist. A beautiful result in this pic, and a perfect composition. Cheers for sharing.
All the best
Noel

P.S. Thank you for your very kind offer regarding Wales, I might just take you up on that :) Sorry for my delay replying, my new job has me really busy. Have a great weekend

Hey John
you know what this reminds me of?
reminds me of those funky looking trees in Namibia, i'm sure you know which ones i'm talking about - they're so popular to photograph.

I see you're having fun using the ND filter, good on you.
something i should do more often as well.
the small rocks and pebbles in the lower fg is such an important element of the scene, its the only area that has texture, otherwise everything else is super smooth.

love the tall presence of the tree, and its stark color contrast against the blues.

Interesting conversation about using the polarizer...i NEVER use one although i own one. It was used once, but i didn't like the effect. Perhaps i should try it again, and maybe i don't know how to use it properly.

What a fantastic scene you have captured with an amazing style, your toy has paid off here, love the old tree standing tall trying to reach the sky.
But ah, the icing on the cake has to be the gorgeous snow covered mountain, sitting in the super clouds, in the Bg,

Hello John
Superb shot of a gorgeous place indeed. You have put your new filter to the best use here, the quality of the silky water and the visible movement of the clouds are picture perfect. The lonely bare tree in itself would have made for a great subject, but with the impressive snowcapped mountain and the still lake it becomes a true painting.
Absolutely gorgeous.
have a great sunday
Daniel

Oooh Giovanni has a new toy! Bravo, aren't they fun? A little difficult to manage, I find I always have to compose the shot first then put the filter on, which is painful, but I really like the results here. I read somewhere that blocking the viewfinder will help with the colour casting and light. But I always seem to get rather flat colours with it. Anyway, the shoreline guides the eye beautifully, the tree is fabulous and the depth of field has picked up the details of the beautiful BG quite exquisitely. Nice work and I hope you're having fun with your new toy.

Hello John
A classic landscape. Charlie Waite or Joe Cornish would be proud. By the way, I went to an exhibition called "Light and Land" at the Mall Galleries last weekend, which featured many photographers, including these two worthies, and also Kasia Nowak, whom I met. She had three photographs on display, and looked good in that company. Of course I was jealous! Meanwhile back at the image. Your "black glass" has certainly given you a long shutter speed. And the clouds and water have benefitted I reckon. Mr. Waite has complained often about vapour trails as the enemy of the landscape photographer. You have ignored him, which is fine by me!
Regards
Will

Hi John,
This is stunning. The composition is simple with the tree being the main subject set in a heavenly landscape. What appeals to me the most is the lit brown grass leading from the tree.
Excellent.
Kind Regards, Ann

You have wonderful photos, this is one of my favourite from your gallery.
This is a picturesque landscape photo with perfect POV and sharpness. The colours are superb as well.
Scotland is one of my dream destination. Absolutely stunning as you presented it with this beautiful photo.